Scotland, Ireland Bid for Tourney

The Scottish government Wednesday backed a proposal for a joint bid with Ireland to stage soccer's 2008 European Championship.

"We shouldn't be overconfident _ but I believe that, if we do this right and unite behind the bid, then we can win," Scottish Executive First Minister Jack McConnell told Parliament.

McConnell said Scotland originally planned to bid alone for the event. Ireland was approached after the Union of European Football Associations decided bidders must have eight 30,000-seat stadiums instead of six.

"We have concluded that to create four 30,000-seat stadiums on top of our excellent facilities at Murrayfield, Hampden, Ibrox and Celtic Park is simply not practical or desirable," McConnell said.

Under the proposal, Scotland would provide six venues and Ireland two.